Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an inductive charger with a housing having an internal compartment, wherein the internal compartment has a first lateral dimension, and a primary coil disposed within the internal compartment. The primary coil has a second lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension, and the primary coil is slidably engaged within the internal compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. An embodiment of the apparatus includes an inductive charger with a housing having an internal compartment, wherein the internal compartment has a first lateral dimension, and a primary coil disposed within the internal compartment. The primary coil has a second lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension, and the primary coil is slidably engaged within the internal compartment.

Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with a loop.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanisms. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with a contacting mass at its end. The contacting mass is nested within the driven member.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with a tang at its end. The driven member has an elastomeric torsion member to absorb torsion shocks.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with an inward-directed tang at its end nested in a washer.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with an inward-directed tang at its end. The tang is nested within a generally radial bore of a tab of the driven member.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder via a solenoid valve. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can back drive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston there is a spring locking mechanism.

Abstract: A torque limiter suitable for use in a gear train is provided having at least one gear connected with a first driven member and another gear being connected with a motive source for transmitting torque from the motive source to the first driven member. One of the gears has an inner hub and an outer ring with spring means preventing relative motion between the hub and the ring unless a predetermined torque value is exceeded whereby the hub has angular rotation with respect to the ring.

Abstract: A pressure actuator for a vehicle braking system is provided. The actuator has a frame with fluid connections with a pressurized fluid source and a wheel cylinder. A piston is slidably mounted inside an interior bore of the frame. A nut is associated with the piston for moving the piston. A drive screw is threadably engaged with the nut. A motor is provided for powering the drive screw in response to a signal given by a controller. A gear train is provided having at least one gear connected with the first drive screw and another gear being connected with the motor for transmitting torque from the motor to the first drive screw. One of the gears has an inner hub and an outer ring with a spring device preventing relative motion between the hub and the ring unless a predetermined torque value is exceeded whereby the hub has angular rotation with respect to the ring.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-lock braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder via a solenoid valve. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can back drive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston there is a spring locking mechanism.

Abstract: A dual voltage motor vehicle electrical system wherein batteries are series connected across the direct voltage output terminals of a generator. The system has a DC to DC converter that operates in a first mode as an equalizer to maintain the batteries in a substantially equal state of charge. When an electric starting motor is energized to crank the engine of the vehicle the converter is switched to a second mode of operation wherein it provides a substantially constant output voltage that is applied to certain electrical loads on the vehicle that require a stable voltage. The converter responds to a first reference voltage that is provided by a voltage divider connected across the batteries when operating in the first mode and responds to a second reference voltage provided by a constant voltage device when operating in the second mode. The system switches between the reference voltages, depending upon the mode of operation that is being used.

Abstract: Vehicle power steering gear with a torsion bar whose stiffness is adjusted by an axially shiftable nut that provides a movable gripping point for one end of the torsion bar whose position determines the pliable length of the bar and the steering effort required to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: The regulation range of a conventional bang-bang current regulator is extended by altering the current command or feedback signals to cause the feedback signal to exceed the command signal sooner in time than it otherwise would and fall below the command signal later in time than it otherwise would. For relatively low command signal values, the current is regulated in a discontinuous series of reduced peak excursion pulses, enabling the average value of current to be regulated down to a lower value than possible without the alteration.